Need for greater access to international cooperation to control drugs in country : Nirmala Sitharaman
New Delhi, Dec 5: Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has said that there is a need to have great access to international cooperation to control drugs and other illicit trafficking in the country.
Speaking at the 65th founding day of the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence in New Delhi today, December 5, the Minister said it is important to work in tandem with fellow countries and their agencies for which India has bilateral agreements for better access to the information.
The Minister also called upon the officers of the departments for better use of technology to detect crime. She added that protecting data is as important as protecting the border.
The Minister also raised concerns over cocaine smuggling in India and it is a matter of great concern. She said that we need to know whether India becomes no longer a transit country or a consuming one.
The Minister also unveiled “Smuggling in India Report 2021-22” which analyses organised smuggling trends, Commercial frauds, and International enforcement operations and cooperation.
During the event, Minister of State for finance Pankaj Chaudhary, Revenue Secretary, Sanjay Malhotra & Chairman of CBIC Vivek Johri were also present.
DRI, the country’s apex intelligence & enforcement agency on anti-smuggling matters came into existence on Dec 4, 1957. With headquarters in New Delhi, DRI has 12 zonal units, 35 regional units & 15 sub-regional units.